Museum to Sell Paintings for Spokane Fire Relief

Four works by artist Kathleen Gemberling Adkison will be auctioned to benefit wildfire recovery efforts in Spokane.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Philanthropy

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a bare easel against a muted smoky ochre field with a pine-ridge silhouette, evoking quiet loss after wildfire. — Four paintings by Kathleen Gemberling Adkison go up for auction Friday at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, with proceeds benefiting Spokane wildfire recovery. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture will begin selling four paintings by Kathleen Gemberling Adkison at 11 a.m. Friday, with all proceeds going to Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners' wildfire relief and recovery funds. Two of the four works have already sold, including one for $5,000 and another for $2,500.

Why it matters

The sale is intended to help families affected by the Spokane Complex fires, which the museum says still need support three months later. Funds raised will be directed toward local wildfire recovery rather than the museum itself.

Two paintings have already sold for $5,000 and $2,500, and the museum is targeting $18,500 once all four works are sold. The final total will depend on the prices fetched by the two remaining paintings.

The players

Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture

The Spokane museum hosting the sale is a regional cultural institution that presents art and history exhibits to the public.

Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners

The local nonprofit coordinates neighborhood-level services and is receiving the sale proceeds for wildfire relief and recovery.

Kathleen Gemberling Adkison

The artist whose four paintings are being sold is a regional painter whose work is represented in this charity sale.

The details

Donated from the private collection of Dave Clack, the four paintings will be offered at the museum Friday morning. The $18,500 goal would fund fire-related home repairs, resource navigation and referrals, and assistance to small business owners affected by the flames.

- Three months after the Spokane Complex fires: wildfire victims still need support, according to the museum.
- Friday, November 6, 2026, 11 a.m.: sale begins at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture.

Philanthropy Pattern

Art sales that route proceeds to local nonprofits follow the pattern of community-led fundraising that emerged after the Spokane Complex fires. Such efforts extend recovery support beyond the initial emergency response.

Residents who want to support wildfire recovery can attend the Friday sale at the museum, where purchases directly fund home repairs and small business assistance. Buyers should expect bids on original works rather than fixed-price retail purchases.

The takeaway

Buying art at local charity sales is one direct way residents can help neighbors rebuild after disasters. Checking whether proceeds go to a named recovery fund helps ensure the money reaches intended recipients.

What happens next

The Friday sale begins at 11 a.m. at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, where the museum will continue selling the remaining paintings toward its $18,500 goal.